How to fix a small hole in drywall

Mr. HowToSpecialistMarch 26, 2012Comments Off

This article is about how to fix a mall hole in drywall. Fixing small, medium or large holes in drywall is not as difficult as it might seem, provided you use the right tools and materials. Generally speaking, there are many ways of repairing a hole in drywall, but in this step by step article we will show you how to get the job done in a professional manner, by using a backing support. This method is straightforward and can be done by anyone, just make sure you follow our guidelines and pay attention to our tips. If you work wit patience and with judgement, you will fix the hole smoothly and none will be able to guess any evidence of the damaged area.

The backing support (one or several wooden strips, according to the size of the hole) should be 4 inches longer than the height of the hole. In this manner, you will be able to secure the wooden strip to the drywall, by inserting several screws. If the hole is wider than 6” we recommend you to install symmetrically at least two wooden strips, otherwise you have to center just one. CLICK HERE to see a lot more projects about fixing drywall in a professional manner.

Before fixing the small hole in drywall, you have to prepare thoroughly the surface. Therefore, you have to use a pencil and a L-square to draw a square or a rectangle around the damaged area. Next, use a drywall saw or an utility knife to cut the drywall, making sure you go over the cut lines. By cutting out a square or a rectangle around the damaged area, it will be much easier to fix the wall with a patch. Pay attention to the wires or pipes that could be inside the wall.

Don’t apply the compound in thick layers, otherwise it will crack after it dries out

2 Hours

Preparation for fixing a small hole in drywall

Hole in drywall

Step 1: Use a carpentry square and a pencil to draw a square or a rectangle around the damaged area. Next, cut out the surface with a drywall saw or an utility knife. If the hole is smaller than 2” you could try to fix it by applying compound and several pieces of mesh net. If the hole is larger, you should either patch it or install a wooden strips to support a piece of drywall.

Smart Tip: It is easier to fix a rectangular hole, therefore we recommend you to trace a shape around the damaged area and cut it with a saw.

Tools for fixing small hole in drywall

Step 2: In order to fix a small hole in drywall like a pro, you need several tools and materials. First of all, you should use a screwdriver to insert several screws in the drywall. Next, you should also use several wood stripes (1×2) to support the drywall patch and drywall screws to secure the backing suppport and the patch.

Last but not least, you need mesh net to cover the seams and compound to finish the surface in a professional manner.

Measuring hole in drywall

Step 3: Use a tape measure to determine the dimensions of the rectangular hole. Next, cut a piece of drywall with a jigsaw / drywall saw, having these dimensions in mind.

Smart Tip: Make sure the thickness of the patch is the same with the existing wall, otherwise you won’t be able to obtain a smooth result. Work with great care, as to make sure you use accurate dimensions.

Driving in screw in the wood strip

Smart 4: Cut a wooden strip 4 inches longer than the height of the hole, to use it as backing support. Next, drive in a drywall screw in the middle wooden strip, to help when locking it into position. If you don’t insert the screw, then it will be difficult to secure it to the existing wall.

Smart Tip: If the hole is wider than 6-7”, you have to install at least two wooden strips, as to secure the patch properly.

How to fix a small hole in drywall

Installing the support backing

Step 5: Place the wood strip in the hole, positioning it in the middle. Work with great care as to get the job done in a professional manner.

Securing the wood strip with screws

Step 6: Secure the wood stripes to the drywall, by driving in several screws at the top and bottom of the hole. If you have to install several strips, you should place them symmetrically.

Smart Tip: Make sure you sink the heads of the screws in the drywall, without tearing the paper layer. We recommend you to use a screwdriver with torque control, as to adjust its speed when inserting the screws.

Backing support

You can see in the image the backing support for the drywall patch. Notice that the heads of the screws are sunk about 1/16”, without tearing the paper layer. Fixing a small, medium or large hole in drywall is straight forward, if you follow our guidelines.

How to fix hole in drywall

Step 7: Place the drywall patch inside the hole to check if it fits into position. If it is slightly too large, we recommend you to adjust its dimensions to fit into position without any issues. Under any circumstances don’t force the drywall piece to fit into position, otherwise the surface won’t be level.

Smart Tip: It is essential to make sure the drywall piece has the same thickness with the existing wall.

Fixing hole with a patch

Step 8: Lock the drywall piece into position by driving in several screws in the backing support. If you have cut the drywall piece at the appropriate dimensions, it will fit into position easily.

Smart Tip: Sink the screw heads about 1/16” in the drywall, to ease the finishing process.

How to repair a small hole in drywall

Covering the seams with mesh tape

Step 9: Cover the seams between the patch and the existing wall with mesh net. The best method to apply the mesh tape is to press it firmly with a large trowel. Work with patience and apply mesh net over all seams.

Smart Tip: If you don’t apply mesh tape before covering the surface with compound, the wall will crack in a few months.

Cutting mesh tape

Smart Tip: Cut the mesh tape with an utility knife or a regular cutter. When applying the mesh to the wall, make sure you place the glue side towards to wall. In this manner, the mash will be locked into position when applying the compound over the patched surface.

Repairing hole in drywall

After you have installed mesh net over the seams, you should get a result similar to the one in the image. Work with great care and with judgement, if you want to obtain a professional result. Fixing a small hole is easy, but finishing the surface makes the difference between poor job and a successful project.

Covering the mesh tape with mud

Step 10: Prepare a small quantity of compound and cover the screw holes and the mesh net, by using a large trowel. It is essential to apply several coats of mud, if you want a professional result.

Smart Tip: Let the area to dry thoroughly, before applying the second coat of compound.

How to fix small hole in drywall

Step 11: Apply the second coat of mud, after the first one has dried thoroughly. Work with patience and make sure you spread the compound as evenly as possible, otherwise you will have to sand the surface several times before obtaining the desired result. Keep the pointer finger in the center of the large trowel and apply the second coat on a larger surface. If the surface is not perfectly level, you will have to sand it the next day.

Smart Tip: Let the second coat of compound to dry overnight before sanding the surface.

How to fix small hole in wall

Step 12: Sand the whole surface with medium grit sandpaper, as in the image. Use circular moves and even out the surface, if you want to obtain a professional result.

Smart Tip: Apply the final coat over the hole, by using a large trowel. Let it dry for several houres and then sand it with fine grit sandpaper. As you should easily notice, fixing a small hole in drywall is easy if you use the right techniques and tools. Cover the area with primer and paint.

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